Exercise to assist applicants

THE Department of Town and Country Planning has established a pre-consultation exercise to assist applicants with their submissions.

Speaking at a Town Planning Compliance Workshop at Labasa's Friendly North Inn yesterday, principal town planner Raijeli Taylor said this was another avenue of ensuring the submissions were in order.

"Preconsultation is an important aspect because it allows us to have a one to one session with the applicants," she said.

"This allows us to go through the applications where we later give advice to the applicants if they need to include other necessary requirements to their submissions.

"Also, it's an opportunity for us to inform the applicants if the requirements of the submissions are met.

"The applications are usually for activities such as the subdivision of land, rezoning, building developments or even a tourism master plan.

"Sometimes, we come across applications that are incomplete or the drawings are not in accordance with the department's standard and this prompts us to send the applications back to the rural local authorities."

Mrs Taylor said the exercise was necessary for the purpose of saving time and achieving efficiency.

"Some applications have a perfect plan but when you actually visit the site, it's totally different from the submissions.

"These are some of the things we face and that's why it's important to consult us first before submitting your applications.

"That way, you won't have to run around to look for the other necessary requirements or be turned down when you have incomplete applications."